The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is Australia's national transport safety investigator. The ATSB's function is to improve safety and public confidence in the aviation, marine and rail modes of transport. The ATSB is Australia's prime agency for the independent investigation of civil aviation, rail and maritime accidents, incidents and safety deficiencies.

Aviation safety investigations & reports

Cessna Aircraft Company 150F, VH-DDQ

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau did not conduct an
on-scene investigation of this occurrence. The information
presented below was obtained from information supplied to the
Bureau.

At about 1130 Eastern Standard Time on 20 June 2004, the Cessna
150F departed runway 28 at Gladstone, Qld for a local flight. As
the aircraft climbed through 200 ft above ground level, the engine
began to lose power. The pilot selected the fuel shutoff valve to
OFF for a forced landing on a nearby road. During the landing, the
aircraft's right wing struck an embankment and the aircraft
sustained substantial damage. The two occupants received minor
injuries.

The pilot later reported that the aircraft had been washed about
two hours before the flight, and had departed with 35 litres of
fuel in the tanks. Meteorological information indicated that
induction system icing was possible but it could not be verified.
Similarly, the possibility of water contamination of the fuel
system was considered, but could not be substantiated. The reason
for the engine failure was not established.